Ben Roberts (writer)
Encyclopedia
Ben Roberts, born Benjamin Eisenberg, (March 23, 1916, Brooklyn, New York – May 12, 1984, Los Angeles
, California
) was a film and television writer, producer and one of the creators of the Charlie's Angels
and Time Express
television series'. In 1958 he was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the Lon Chaney
biopic Man of a Thousand Faces
. He has also been nominated for two Emmy awards and an Edgar Award
. In 1972, Roberts won a Golden Globe Award
for Best Television series, drama for Mannix
.
A brilliant student, Ben Roberts entered N.Y.U. at age 16, graduating three years later. By the time he was 22, Roberts was successfully running his own independent public-relations counseling firm and was contributing comedy material to several Broadway musicals. In 1941, he collaborated with another young writer, Ivan Goff
, on the theatrical suspense thriller Portrait in Black. He briefly worked in films in the early '40s, returned to the stage for six years, then settled in Hollywood permanently in 1949. All of his subsequent film efforts, as both screenwriter and producer, were in collaboration with his old friend Ivan Goff
. The pair contributed to the success of such varied projects as White Heat
(1949), Captain Horatio Hornblower
(1951), Shake Hands with the Devil (1959) and Midnight Lace
(1960); and in 1957, they shared an Academy Award nomination for their scriptwork on Man of a Thousand Faces
(1957). In addition, Ben Roberts and Ivan Goff served as executive producers for the weekly TV series Mannix
and Nero Wolfe
. - Hal Erickson, Rovi http://www.aoltv.com/celebs/ben-roberts/1868476/biography
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) was a film and television writer, producer and one of the creators of the Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
and Time Express
Time Express
Time Express is a short-lived American fantasy TV series, broadcast April–May 1979 on CBS and later syndicated. The series was created by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts who had both previously been involved in the creation of Charlie's Angels...
television series'. In 1958 he was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the Lon Chaney
Lon Chaney, Sr.
Lon Chaney , nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Faces," was an American actor during the age of silent films. He was one of the most versatile and powerful actors of early cinema...
biopic Man of a Thousand Faces
Man of a Thousand Faces
Man of a Thousand Faces is a film detailing the life of silent movie actor Lon Chaney, in which the title role is played by James Cagney.Directed by Joseph Pevney, the film's cast included Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer and Jim Backus...
. He has also been nominated for two Emmy awards and an Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
. In 1972, Roberts won a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for Best Television series, drama for Mannix
Mannix
Mannix is an American television detective series that ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller, the title character, Joe Mannix, is a private investigator. He is played by Mike Connors...
.
A brilliant student, Ben Roberts entered N.Y.U. at age 16, graduating three years later. By the time he was 22, Roberts was successfully running his own independent public-relations counseling firm and was contributing comedy material to several Broadway musicals. In 1941, he collaborated with another young writer, Ivan Goff
Ivan Goff
Ivan Goff was an Australian screenwriter, best known for his collaborations with Ben Roberts including White Heat , The Man of a Thousand Faces and the pilot for Charlie's Angels .-Biography:...
, on the theatrical suspense thriller Portrait in Black. He briefly worked in films in the early '40s, returned to the stage for six years, then settled in Hollywood permanently in 1949. All of his subsequent film efforts, as both screenwriter and producer, were in collaboration with his old friend Ivan Goff
Ivan Goff
Ivan Goff was an Australian screenwriter, best known for his collaborations with Ben Roberts including White Heat , The Man of a Thousand Faces and the pilot for Charlie's Angels .-Biography:...
. The pair contributed to the success of such varied projects as White Heat
White Heat
White Heat may refer to:In film:* White Heat , a British film directed by Thomas Bentley* White Heat , an American film* White Heat, a 1949 film starring James CagneyIn music:...
(1949), Captain Horatio Hornblower
Captain Horatio Hornblower
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. is a 1951 naval adventure film. It was directed by Raoul Walsh and stars Gregory Peck, Virginia Mayo, Robert Beatty and Terence Morgan.It was based upon three of C. S...
(1951), Shake Hands with the Devil (1959) and Midnight Lace
Midnight Lace
Midnight Lace is a 1960 American mystery-thriller film starring Doris Day and Rex Harrison, directed by David Miller. The screenplay by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts is based on the play Matilda Shouted Fire by Janet Green....
(1960); and in 1957, they shared an Academy Award nomination for their scriptwork on Man of a Thousand Faces
Man of a Thousand Faces
Man of a Thousand Faces is a film detailing the life of silent movie actor Lon Chaney, in which the title role is played by James Cagney.Directed by Joseph Pevney, the film's cast included Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer and Jim Backus...
(1957). In addition, Ben Roberts and Ivan Goff served as executive producers for the weekly TV series Mannix
Mannix
Mannix is an American television detective series that ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller, the title character, Joe Mannix, is a private investigator. He is played by Mike Connors...
and Nero Wolfe
Nero Wolfe
Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective, created in 1934 by the American mystery writer Rex Stout. Wolfe's confidential assistant Archie Goodwin narrates the cases of the detective genius. Stout wrote 33 novels and 39 short stories from 1934 to 1974, with most of them set in New York City. Wolfe's...
. - Hal Erickson, Rovi http://www.aoltv.com/celebs/ben-roberts/1868476/biography